Since the late 19th century, well-heeled tourists—and artists such as Chopin and Beethoven—have come to Karlovy Vary to improve their health through hill walking, taking in the mountain-fresh air, and consuming the different spring waters that occur naturally here. Each spring is thought to have slightly different healing properties, though many of the springs are both hot and salty in taste.
The town is named for the Bohemian King Charles IV who ruled in the 14th century. Local legend has it that Charles was the first person to discover the springs while walking his dogs in the hills above the town. Many people visit Karlovy Vary on a sightseeing day trip from Prague.
There’s another healing elixir found in the town, too—the herbal Becherovka liqueur—which locals swear by.